Gem was glad to have her traveling companion, Gypsy, with her. The body heat they shared was just enough to fight off the thread of hypothermia. Just enough to keep her curious about exploring the precarious wonder that loomed ahead of them. Gypsy's soft voice brings a shrug from Gem. "I have no idea," she whispers back, noticing the amassing wolves. She really wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing... Apparently it wasn't a good thing. Suddenly, the tunnel around them began to quake and rumble from every direction. Ice shatters, shrieking as it crashes to the ground, narrowly avoiding them. Gem skitters away from the cluster of wolves, practically dragging Gypsy with her. She couldn't leave the blind women to defend herself. Unsure what had caused the commotion until the icy mist dissipated, she tries to breathe through the fear. Gem hadn't even noticed her sister had joined the fray. How was she to protect Gypsy and Estie? Feeling the touch of Gypsy, Gem shifts back toward the woman as her eyes draw toward the sound of something ahead of them. Waiting, peering from the ceiling, the image of the giant worm forces her breath to stop. Her eyes widen as she clings closer to Gypsy. "G-giant ww-wworm," Gem mutters under her breath as she continues to slowly slide Gypsy back toward the mouth of the cavern. Run. Run. Run. Her mind screamed over and over. Gem Klein

Around them the earth continued to rumble before it finally stilled. Had the earthquake finally ended then? Though as Éldi made that thought he wasn't sure he could really call the rumblings an earthquake. It was more like there was something near them tunneling and suddenly a massive worm burst through the ceiling. Éldi's jaw dropped open and he stared at the creature in stunned speechlessness. He never seen such a beast and even the legends he'd been told as a pup could hardly identify this creature.

His breath twisted from his mouth as mist as he eyed the worm. It hovered there, seeming to be waiting for something. Did it know for sure where they were? He couldn't see an eye on the creature. He felt Askr moving down his back, the raven grabbed a piece of ice and chucked it up toward the ceiling away from the wolves.

Oh shit! Kea dove out of the way when it seemed the ceiling was about to fall. Too busy dodging chunks of ice, he almost missed the cause of it. He looked up, and he spotted the giant fucking worm and his face went bright rage with outrage. A worm! Another fucking worm! How much bad luck could be in his life? At least this one wasn’t in lava, and it looked… different.

He realised after a moment he was crouched down for balance (and fear) waiting for something to happen. What was going to happen next? Was it going to attack them? He was far from the only wolf here.


"Speech"

Speech // thought // French

The gathering crowd starts to become a comfort to Iris. That is until the earth bucks and trembles once more. So maybe hiding out in a cave when the world is unsteady was not the greatest of ideas!

Another French expletive regaling royal shit stains falls from her lips as she narrowly misses a falling icicle while she scurries away from a growing crack in the floor.

The smell of blood overwhelms her nose over the smell of snow and ice and strange.

When the glittering ice encrusted worm burst forth she is stunned. Her mouth was slightly agape as her smalt gaze lifted to the ceiling to see the monster looming above them all. Her paws skittered backward as far as she could go, her tail butting up against the fallen chunk of the glacier. She should help whoever was bleeding but she couldn't peel her eyes away from that Thing

The earth was already pleasantly rolling beneath his paws, so when the shuddering increased, he hardly noticed. It would take more than that to knock the barrel roller off his feet. The chunks of ice falling from the ceiling though, well that was new. The cacophonous barking of his girls had him turning just in time to see the giant worm descend from the ceiling. "Th' fuck?" he barely managed to slur before his eyes narrowed and the fire lit in his veins.

Falling ice had struck one wolf in the leg, the coppery tang of blood filling the air, the others all seemed frozen in place or cowering from shock. Not Ken. "Oi! Yer limp fuck! We're walkin' ere!" How the fuck was he meant to teach it a lesson hanging from the roof like that? Scattered debris could serve as an incline to leap from, but well, he'd never been one to think too far ahead. Charging and using the scattered boulders as a springboard he charged, paws extended and jaws parted wide to try and grab onto the party crasher. If it was a fight it wanted, it would get one from him.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Hanako thought she was better; felt as though she was. She was quick on her paws, but evidently not fast enough as the roof began to cave in, hurtling shards of ice down upon the group. A sharp, ripping pain slashed across her back left leg and Hanako cried out in pain, unable to help herself. She gritted her teeth, her figure slumping as she struggled to support her weight on her now damaged limb, well there was no running now, though admittedly it hadn't really even been an option from the very start. Too focused on trying to not...die, she supposed, she hadn't really had the time to notice her company. Least of all that her daughter was here. And as bitchy as she was, could you really blame her? There was a giant ice worm right there.

Blood seeped down her leg, the droplets staining the ice beneath her paw a vivid red. She had felt pain before and this certainly hurt, but the adrenaline coursing through her veins was no doubt keeping the worst of it at bay. She could still move, but not as fast. Did the creature sense her blood? Could she serve as a distraction? One way to find out, she supposed, better to do something than just die.

"If I distract it, you lot better tear it apart or so help me." She hissed through gritted teeth as she stepped away from the main part of the group, hobbling quickly to see if it would dislodge itself from where it dangled on the roof.

There's no time to be surprised. There's no time to dwell on the fact that Hanako is here, and she's been wounded in the process. There's no time for any of it, as the world erupts to life around her. Hazel's hackles rise, drawing to her full height as she takes the beast in. Trying to make sense of it, trying to make heads or tails of whatever the fuck this was.

The worm claws at the ceiling, staying attached to the surface. Hazel has seen some shit in her day, but this? This is new. A brown boy, slurring his words and throwing himself at the beast... ah shit. He's drunk. Meanwhile, Hanako playing bait to get it down from the ceiling. Hazel quietly pads to place herself at about the beast's drop point, putting herself between the danger and her ex's injured mother. Hackles up, crystalline fangs gleaming, she's ready for the worm. Ready as she'll ever be.

"Speech"

Something sets Wade’s fur on end, the springy chimes that sound from within the ice are wonderful to the ear but only make the dread that has been building settle like a rock in the pit of his stomach. The rumbles begin to wane as a shadow at the edge of his vision pulls the red boy’s attention to the area around him and he tentatively calls out, questioning if anyone is there. Silence answers him, the absence of sound that follows his question stretching thin until….

Suddenly, all hell breaks loose.

From above, the ice shatters, pulling his attention skyward as he is forced to quickly dodge out of the way of some of the bigger, more dangerous chunks. A cry of pain pulls his pale gaze downward and, amidst the fallen, glittering chunks of ice the yearling spies several other gathered wolves. Chaos sets in as some seem to jockey for protective positions over others while one teenager in particular slurs his words and launches himself at the new entity.

Gaze snaps back up to the creature that now clings to the clinging, quickly taking stock of its build and crystal sharp teeth while deciding what part he is going to attack. With a huge, crazed grin, the boy lets out a loud whoop of excitement and follows the lead of the other yearling by charges toward the strange worm. Some debris server as an incline and his fat paws thunder up the makeshift ramp before is forced to launch himself through the air.

Jaws open wide as Wade seeks to grab ahold of one of the flared hinges that usually cover the mouth, hoping to snag it and maybe cause it some pain. Who knows, maybe he can even pull the creature down to a more manageable height! As he goes, Sly and Loki holler that encouragement from the depths of his mind.


"Wade Preator" 'Thinking'| 'Sly' | 'Loki'

the city looks so pretty
do you want to burn it with me?

Others had gathered in the cave, but few he recognized. Wade was the only other from Insomnia that had ventured this far and he wondered what brought him up here. Was he hunting too? It hardly mattered as the conversations of others quickly silenced as the roof began to shake and something emerged from it. If he had any shrooms that day, he'd have thought he was hallucinating, but given that others were also clearly seeing the worm tear from the ceiling he knew that he wasn't.

It didn't do much besides stare at them with it's eye-less face and strange mouth, but that didn't stop the others from trying to attack it. Being so much shorter than most of the others, Battery wasn't sure if he could even reach it by jumping! What a shame- but wait, Wade is much taller! Suddenly his tail began to wag, as if standing on his back was actually a good idea. Battery certainly thought it was, anyway.

"Wade! Give me a boost!" he said, sounding far too excited given there was a literal monster hanging above them all. Stepping closer towards his pack mate, he was only one moment away from climbing onto his back and taking a shot at the strange creature.

Speech ─ Think

─ by Skelle !

As more wolves congregated, Clove found herself traveling deeper into the ice cavern, searching for her older brother. His scent was becoming increasingly harder to pinpoint, with all the new wolves in the area- but she kept her senses on high alert, her fiery and icy gaze sweeping through the crowd, as she kept a look out for his familiar ebony and blue pelt. An eerie silence settles over the cavern- as if the ice itself was holding its breath in anticipation. Then, the ice above her shatters, blocks raining down onto her head, earning a yelp from the girl as she finds the nearest wall and presses herself up against it. The smell of blood fills the air- someone had been injured. A surge of fear rushes through Clove, her eyes trying to adjust to the bleak lighting, as icy mist rises from the earth. What appears next, is absolutely terrifying. A monstrous worm writhes out from a crack in the ceiling, opening a cross-shaped maw to reveal hundreds of teeth. A carnal hiss resonates from the creature, and Clove shrinks down, trying to appear smaller. There were so many wolves here- warriors who would fight the beast, no doubt. Clove would blend into the background, ready to help the injured, and escort the weak and elderly. "Speech"

The monstrous beast hangs there, as if suspended in time. The ice creaks, the cave growing quiet for a long moment, save for shuddering breaths and whispered panic from the adventurers. Occasionally a shard of ice tumbles down from above, the chimes echoing melodically through the cavern.

The worm waits. Watching. Its mouth parts just slightly, revealing more of those razor-sharp teeth. Thick, sticky drool oozes from its maw, the liquid steaming when it reaches the frigid floor of the ice cave.

The worm hungers.

Without warning, the beast rushes forward, emerging from the roof of the ice cave, its massive body stretching toward the group- at whoever is closest, whoever it senses first. Battery narrowly avoids its suddenly parting maw, which snaps open and closed with a haunting hiss. The jagged, rough exterior of the worm catches him just under his chin, sending him staggering backwards as blood begins to seep from the open wound.

Gem attempts to move backwards, but she's too slow. Or maybe her movements, aiming to escape, only further entice the worm. Its head swivels toward her, gnashing hundreds of tiny dagger teeth toward her. Gem's right ear is caught in the worm's mouth, shredding it before she can even register the pain.

In the chaos, the beast's movements send Gypsy flying back against an ice wall. A searing pain shoots through her back right paw, and instinctively the small woman knows something is broken, made evident when she tries to pull herself upright.

Kenway moves to strike the beast, and its reaction is rage-fueled and without mercy. It seems driven by pure malice. It pummels the yearling down into the ice below, sending shockwaves through the tunnel floor, tremors echoing out and sending adventurers tumbling. Crashing down hard onto his lower spine, Kenway feels burning pain rippling through him.

The worm rears back, readying itself for its next strike. A sharp hiss can be heard as it once again moves to strike, this time not holding back.

Well if that wasn't a way to sober up quickly...

Slammed into the frozen earth, cold sharp pain shot down Ken's hind limbs, rear legs full of pins and needles as he tried to stand. His legs splayed uselessly, but that didn't drag the determined snarl from his lips, nor temper the way he snapped at the worm as it turned its attention back to the others. The coppery tang of blood filled the air, and ripples of pain radiated from his lower back. His tail hung limply at the base of his spine and Kenway gritted his teeth as he tried to stand again. His cattle dogs continued their circling and barking, adding to the cacophony to try and disorient the beast while he tried to find his feet. Perhaps being half-drunk was a blessing, he doubted he'd bother trying to get back up if was sober.

His legs were underneath him now, the sharp shooting pain enough to hold him back, the numb pins and needles pain making him bite back on his teeth. He shuffled closer to an ice chunk that had fallen from the ceiling, ready to dive behind it if the worm came back for more. He added his own barks to those of his dogs. Hopefully if it used sound to locate it's prey, it might be disoriented.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Speech // thought // French

Life hadn't been good to her anyway. She felt like she had been created only to be tossed aside. Passed from one evil to another. Used, abandoned, discarded, shuffled away, ignored after she was meant for greater things. The crowded room grew distant in the French woman's ears. Where did her story go? When does she get to make the moves?

Her vision filled with the thrashing glittering cavern icicle beast hovering above. Tossing the wolves around it like they were mere ragdolls.

She was done. She was done running, she was FRENCH. If she's going down this beast's gullet then it can choke on her. Let her do one good thing in this life. Has her life meant something after being so cruelly discarded, ghosted, left to wander alone and afraid? Perhaps not until now.

"VIENS ME CHERHER MONSTRE! (come and get me you monster) LET ME BE YOUR DISTRAXION!" She called out into the cavern, her accent thick but clear as it rang over the walls of thick ice.

She leaps forward directly under the beast and then leaps UP! Her jaws wide to grasp at whatever the worm presents her.

"Tu vas t'étouffer avec moi." (you're going to choke on me) She declares as she leaps.

Wade sails through the air grabbing ahold of the strange flappy bit of crystal that had flared out, away from the mouth and, just as he had expected, it is… hard. From the looks and feel of it, the piece he had latched onto is made of, well, crystals. Disappointed, he releases the creature, landing like a cat on all fours just as it suddenly lashes out at the group. Pale eyes widen as he scrambles away from the attacking, weird-looking worm when his gaze quickly being pulled to the person that had called his name.

Wait, what? A boost?

‘You know, like the short wolf wants to become taller.’ Sly answers cheerful from the depths of his mind while Wade watches the worm bite at the wolf… Battery wasn’t it? and send him staggering backwards as blood seeps from a wound underneath his chin. Snarling loudly at the worm for hurting his packmate, the gangly teen gallops across the distance that separates the pair and helps him clamber on top of his shoulders. Wheeling around to face the angry creature that still hangs from the ceiling as he spies the aftermath of its fury on the ground.

Shouting to the small man on his shoulders, “Hold on!” Wade launches the pair toward the angry crystal creature, using the debris on the ground as a ramp while he angles them up toward it and at the striking beast. Gritting his teeth, he barrels ahead, readying to launch the smaller form from his back if and when he is ready. ‘Wait, does this mean we are a mighty steed now?!’ Loki suddenly shouts and all Wade can say is, “Shut the fuck up!”

Oh shit, did he just say that out loud? Maybe the dude wouldn’t notice or better yet, maybe they know he is Ignis’s kid and therefore batshit crazy. Either way, he continues to send them headlong at the worm.


"Wade Preator" 'Thinking'| 'Sly' | 'Loki'

Barghest felt her pulse quicken, the thrill of the fight simmering beneath her skin as she watched the beast descend, its movements almost hypnotic in their brutality. Amid the chaos, her gaze locked onto Gem, her sister, just as the creature’s gnashing maw tore through her ear. The sight spurred a fierce anger within her, flaring hotter than the cold biting into her bones. Watching the blood of her sister stain the white-blue glow of the ice. Barghest's jaw clenched, eyes narrowing as she rushed to Gem’s side.

"Stay on your feet, Gem," she muttered under her breath, a promise and a command wrapped into one. She could feel the worm’s attention shifting, its maw opening wide for another onslaught, the cavern itself seeming to tremble at the act. The worm might have hungered, but Barghest would make sure it paid the price for every ounce of blood it dared spill. Her muzzle scrunches as she watched more wolves move in, becoming distractions and even boosting each other up— but they give her an opening.

With a snarl, she launched herself forward, claws digging into the slick ice as she charged. She aimed for the beast’s exposed flank, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes as she closed in, ready to tear into it. The worm had made its move, and now it was her turn. She’d make this beast regret every strike. Jaws splayed wide, she clamped down and sought to rend a gaping wound into it’s disgusting hide.



""

It was a true battle now, and the knight of the Hallows realised he had let his shock (and yes, though he loathed to admit it, his fear) hold him still. Now wasn’t the time to let the past take him, he needed to strike. He pulled free his steel sword, holding it in his mouth as he attempted a jumping strike.

Trying to strike at its underflesh beneath its blossoming face as he tried to launch himself up high enough to reach it. It was his intention to strike the blade across the flesh in a slash, weary of getting his blade hooked it he drove it in too directly.

"Speech"

One by one, wolves threw themselves at the worm in a hurry. Makara choked back a gasp as each attack was quickly, almost effortlessly dispelled. How could they ever stand up to this thing? And yet, as the moments ticked by, her curiosity grew until it matched her fear in equal measure. She had trained once as a fighter, but her skills were rusty and imperfect. There were so many wolves clambering for the worm now that she hesitated to throw herself in, finally turning eyes on her injured mother who was hobbling away in an attempt to distract the worm - or escape to safety herself. It could be either, with Hanako.

Mak sighed and tightened her goggles again, sprinting after her mother. It was one thing to hate your parent for their inattentiveness, but another to watch them eaten alive in front of you. She skittered to a stop in front of her, bending down to hoist Hanako across her shoulders so that she no longer put weight on her injured leg. "We're getting out of this alive... then we'll talk," she said curtly, probably the shortest sentence she'd ever uttered to Hanako since she'd been born. Makara, slowed down by the weight of Hana on top of her, paced the edges of the fray. It kept them out of the line of fire, but maybe the worm would still be distracted by the scent of fresh blood.

Speech

Pain seared through her face. No, her ear. Gone. It had to be. Nothing by cold air now filled the space where she attempted to move it. Terror and agony fill her as she holds back a scream. Blood spills down the side of her face as her sister rushes forward. Though she trembles, she stands. Looking up at Estie, she smiles softly. "Estie," her voice is quiet as she meets her sister's gaze. If only for a brief moment. In the next, Estie is gone, running at the worm. So many others are also running at the worm. Was that Kenway injured over there? So many hurt and for why? Sorrow fills Gem as she looks to the enraged worm. What if... it didn't want to be treated like a monster? Turning to look at Gypsy, she places a paw upon the woman's shoulder. "Stay here where it's safe," she whispers softly before turning toward the worm. "Everyone, please! Stop attacking it!" Gem attempts to shout but her voice is not bold enough for that. Oh well, she would still try. Approaching slowly, she keeps herself low and in stance of submission. Her tail folded between her legs, her one good ear folded sideways, tongue licking out at her lips to ease the tension. As she grows closer, she turns her chin upward to peer at the worm. It is clear by the hiss that emanates from it that it is furious. "Hello!" Gem calls out to the worm, her voice tender and kind. "I'm not sure if you can understand me," gods she hoped it did. "We don't want to hurt you," she continues even if its not true. "We're just scared! You're big and honestly terrifying to look at compared to what we normally see. I'm sorry if that's rude," her face cringes as she realizes how rude that must sound, but she carries on. "Do you need help? Have we disturbed you? Is that why you are so angry? Please, if you can talk, we can help," Gem pleads, tears creasing her eyes as she stares up at the hideous monstrosity. She doesn't know if its about to reach down and eat her whole, she doesn't care if it does. At least she'll die knowing she tried. Gem Klein

At about the same time as Askr's ice pebble hit the ceiling all hell broke loose. Multiple wolves charged the worm and it lunged for them. It was chaos, he was forced to dive out of the way as the movement of the worm brought more ice crashing down around them. Several wolves were wounded, evident by the blood now staining the ice. The worm, seemingly unbothered, reared back again once more to strike. He did not know how they could possibly defeat such a thing. The smartest answer seemed to be to run, but he could not bring himself to flee. No, he would not act so cowardly. A paw reached up to touch the necklace he wore and he smiled. Is this the challenge the god's had sent him? Was he being given the chance to demonstrate his mettle? To perhaps even die in battle?

Then so it would be. Yet, in his years he had learned to be calculating. He did not wish to simply rush in, unsure his fangs would work as he needed them to. Instead he grabbed a large ice shard that spanned over three feet. He held it in his jaws, testing that it was strong before he shifted off to the side. He eyed the worm and as it moved to strike he raced forward, seeking to slip the ice shard into the beasts mouth, hoping forcing it to bite sharply down on the glass-like edges of the ice would cause some damage. No doubt the beast could grind through ice but again he hoped the sharp points and sudden pressure of closing jaws would damage the creature all the same.

As he moved he could dimly hear a young voice calling at them to stop fighting it but by that point he was already committed.

Pups, yearlings, children take the brunt of the assault, this time around. That, and the tiny, elderly wolf as well-- shit. She has to do something. She has to do anything. Finding it harder and harder to focus through the infernal screeching from the dark woman, Hazel gives a great shake of her head. Trying to clear it. There would be no panic here.

Hazel has already dialed in, focused her attack, when the child with the bleeding ear speaks. She takes a scrambling step back, putting herself between the yearling and the worm. Hackles up, a severe look in her eye. Ready to jump, ready to dive for the child's safety if the need arose. Deeply worrying, but putting herself between danger and the more tenderhearted isn't new to Hazel.

"Speech"